Analysis of the electricity market after 2020

The report forms a basis for the discussion on how the Swiss electricity market could be developed in the long term. Alongside an economically viable expansion of renewable energies, a reduction in energy consumption, an increase in energy efficiency and the achievement of climate policy goals, a key role is also played by maintaining long-term security of supply.

Electricity Grids Strategy

The Energy Strategy 2050 and the upgrading of the energy system will make new demands on the electricity grids. The existing grids have to be adapted to increasing fluctuation in the feed-in of current as a result of the development of wind and solar energy units. Moreover, many power lines have now reached an age where they must be replaced anyway, regardless of the energy strategy. With the Electricity Grid Strategy, Parliament has therefore created a legal framework for a needs-based and timely grid development in order to ensure security of power supply. The revision of the relevant legislation was approved by Parliament on 15 December 2017.

Energy research

Under the Energy Strategy 2050, Parliament approved the creation of eight national competence centres (Swiss Competence Centres for Energy Research, SCCER). These are intended to generate additional research capacity at universities and universities of applied sciences in the field of application-oriented energy research in the period between 2013 and 2020. Other measures include increased financial resources for the Federal Office of Energy for pilot and demonstration projects, the launch of a funding programme for flagship projects limited until 2020, additional financial resources for CTI project funding for the period 2013-2020 and two National Research Programmes (NRPs) under the remit of the Swiss National Science Foundation on the themes of "Energy turnaround" and "Managing energy consumption" due for completion in 2019.